Motorboat steering and propulsion mechanism



May 16, 1950 a. B. WRIGHT MOTORBOAT STEERING AND PROPULSION MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 3, 1946 Inrz/llor HEAL WAIT B. WI'P CFH A t/o may- May 16, i950 B. B. WRIGHT MOTORBOAT STEERING AND PROPULSION MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 1946 W WW Alf/1 meys y 1950 B. B. WRIGHT 2,507,844

MOTORBOAT STEERING AND PROPULSION MECHANISM Filed May 3, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet;

Filed May 3, 1946 May 16,- 1950 r B. B. w RlGHT 2,507,344

MOTORBOAT STEERING AND PROPULSIDN MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 y 6, 1950 B. B. WRIGHT 2,507,844

MOTORBOAT STEERING AND PROPULSION MECHANISM Filed May 3, 1946 6 Shets-Sheet 5 May 16, 1950 B. B. WRIGHT MOTORBOAT STEERING AND PROPULSION MECHANISM Filed May 3, 1946 II-Ill 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 E i #2 'Iguldv y l g 53 M w v i f fi MW i I Patented May 16, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOTORBOAT STEERING AND PROPULSION MECHANISM 6 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to steering and propulsion mechanism for motor boats and more particularly to a new" and improved outboard propeller drive assembly adapted to be attached to the stern of a small boat and totransmit power to the propeller from an inboard motor, all in a manner to effect an optimum arrangement susceptible of maximum power displacement and eX- t're'me ease of control over the steering movements of the boat. Morever, the present invention, according to one of the embodiments thereof, contemplates an arrangement for the propeller'drive assembly which provides for rearward and upward tilting movement thereof when the boat passes over any obstruction in the water that is hit by the propeller assembly; the propeller assembly at the same time providing for continuous delivery of power to the propeller and continuous control over the steering movements thereof.

An important object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an outboard propeller drive assembly adapted to tilt in a manner to avoid obstructions in the water while maintaining continuous control over the power delivery and steering' operations of the propeller.

Another object is to provide an outboard propeller drive assembly which also forms a substantially watertight casing and bearing support for the driving and steering connections to the propeller while at the s'ametime permitting steering and tilting movements of the propeller asser'nbly.

A, further object is to provide an outboard propeller drive assembly having a steering mechanism which is efiectively disposed substantially entirely along the steering aids of the propeller assembly, thereby to facilitate the steering moveri'ien'ts thereof.

An additional object resides in the provision of a self-locking arrangement for a tilting propeller drive assembly which prevents tilting movement thereof when the assembly is turned 180 degrees about its steering axis todrive the boat in reverse.

Still another object is'to provide a simple shear pin arrangement, accessible for'replacement withthe boat, for breaking the driving connections to the propeller when the same strikes an obstructipn in a manner to cause shearing of the pin.

Yet another object is to provide a unitary and rompletely enclosed outboard propeller drive assembly which is capable of wide angle tilting and $60- degree turning movements without losing control over either the power transmission to the propeller or the steering control thereof;- and which, in addition, possesses all of the desired qualitiesor ease and economy of manufacture; dependability and reliability in service, efiioiericy and ease of operation, and ready replacementand repair of parts in case of wear.

Still other objects, features and advantages of the present invention not specifically set forth hereinbefore are those inherent in or implied from the novel construction, combination and errangement of parts as will become more fullyasparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of the'pitipeller drive assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly as illustrated, being attached to the stern of' a boat suitable for use therewith;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line Z2 of Figure 1;'

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the casing as seen substantially along the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a somewhat enlarged view in elevation of the lower end of the steering mechanism asseen in Figure 2; v

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 2; I I

Figure 6 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the expansible yoke taken substantially through the center thereof; V

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6' but illustrating the yoke as seen when tilted through approximately one-half its completeangle of tilt;'

Figure 8 is a sectional view similar to Figure 6 but taken along somewhat different lines through the yoke so as to illustrate more clearly the function of theretainin'g ring;

Figure 9 is a developed plan view as viewed from the inside of the yoke as seen in Figure &;

Figure 10 is a developed plan view of the retain ir ig ring as viewed from the inside of Figure &;

Figures 11', 12, 13 and 14- are perspective views respectively of the several elements comprising the expansible yoke;

Figure 15 is a developed plan view of the yoke bearing race'or cover;

Figure 16 is a sectionalview of a propeller'driv'e assembly aocording to an alternate embodiment of the invention in which no provision is made for tilting the assembly, and

Figure 17 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen along the line l1l1 of Figure 16.

Referring now to the drawings for a more complete understanding of the invention and more particularly to Figures 1 through 15, the nuiiier'a-l 20 generally designates a boat, the transom 2 l of which is provided with an aperture 22 through which projects a hub portion 23 of a supporting plate 24 for the outboard propeller drive assembly generally designated 25. The supporting plate is secured to the transom in any suitable manner, not shown, adapted to provide a watertight relation therebetween.

The hub portion 23 of plate 24 has a bore 26 extending therethrough and terminates on the opposite side of the plate in a somewhat smaller hub portion 21, the hub portions being counterbored to receive bearings 28 and 29, respectively which serve to support a shaft 39 for rotation therein. A' bevel gear 3| is secured as by a nut 32, to one end of shaft 30, the other end being secured against axial movement in bore as by a nut and washer generally designated 33, a shaft and housing seal 34 preferably being interposed between bearing 28 and the washer.

Shaft 39 is coupled to a short shaft assembly generally designated 35 by means of the shear pin 36 which is retained in power transmitting relation therebetween by means of the sleeve 31, the sleeve being releasably retained in position by the ball and spring arrangement 38. sembly 35 carries a flange 39 for connection with a similar flange 49- which in turn may be secured to a power shaft 4| in power transmitting relation to the motor or engine, not shown. Whereas shafts 39 and 4| are shown to be generally horizontal, it will be understood that variations from this condition readily may be met with merely by inserting universal or flexible connections at one or more desired points along the drive.

Supporting plate 24 is undercut as at 42 to revceive the rectangular flange portion 43 of sub stantially cylindrical housing or casing 44 which is secured to the plate in sealed relation therewith as by the cup screws 45. Casing 44 is mounted on plate 24 so that the axis thereof intersects the axis of shaft 39 such that the bevel gear 46, which is concentric with the axis of the casing, mates properly with bevel gear 3|. Gear 46 is mounted for rotation about a stub shaft 41 which is secured as by a nut 48, to one side of the casing in an apertured boss portion 49 thereof, a similar arrangement beingprovided on the opposite side of the casing to accommodate a pair of gears 46, when desired, the aperture otherwise being sealed with a plug 59.

Gear 46 drives a third bevel gear 5| which is secured as by a nut 52 to a hollow shaft 53 which is supported in bearings 54 and 55 mounted respectively, in member 56 of the expansible yoke, hereinafter more fully to be described, and in a bore 51 in the foot assembly 58. Shaft 53 extends through a tubular member 59 which is inserted in bore 51 in foot 58 and secured thereto whereby the two move together about the axis of shaft 53. The upper portion of member 59 is reduced in diameter so as to be received telescopically within a bore 6'!) in member 56 of the expansible yoke, the portion of member 56 surrounding the lower end of bore 69 being cylindrical and of the same diameter as the enlarged portion of tubular member 59 whereby a collar or sleeve 6|, .formed in two halves and bolted together as at Shaft as- 62, is received in telescoping relation with thesemembers. Thereby to strengthen the unitary structure formed in their combination while permitting relative rotation therebetween about their common axis, a thrust washer 63 preferably being interposed between these members to further facilitate movement between them.

Member 59 is retained in fixed axial relation to member 55 by means of a retaining ring 64 which is seated in counterbore 55 adjacent bearing 54 which is seated in a larger counterbore 66 in member 55. Bearing 55 at the other end of shaft 53 is seated in a counterbore 61 in foot 58. This end of the shaft has secured thereto, as by a nut and lock washer 58, a bevel gear 69 which meshes with a bevel gear 19 suitably secured for rotation with the propeller shaft 1| to which is secured a conventional propeller 12 as by a nut 13. Gears 69 and 19 occupy a chamber 14 to which access is made by way of removable plate 15 secured to foot 58 as by screws 16. Plate 15 carries one bearing 11 for shaft 1!, the other bearing 18 therefore being carried in a bore 19 in the foot together with a suitable seal 80.

A plate 8 l, secured to foot 58 as by being formed integrally therewith or by being pressed into an aperture 82 therein, extends into chamber 14 generally parallel to shaft 1| and is provided with a square aperture 83 through which the square end of a shaft 84 passes, shaft 84 being extended through the central opening in tubular shaft 53 and provided with a cotter key 85 on its lower end and a universal joint 86 on its upper end. Joint 86 makes connection with a shaft 81 at the point of intersection of the axes of bevel gears 3|, 45 and 5! whereby rotation of shaft 84 to effect through plate 8| turning movement of foot 58 about the axis of shaft 53 notwithstanding tilting movement of the foot and yoke assembly about the axis of casing 44. The driving connections to the propeller, of course, also are not broken by reason of the tilting movement for the reason that gear 5! maintains its mating relation with gear 45 during such movement.

Shaft 81 preferably is journaled in a bearing 88 seated in a bossed portion 99 of the casing, a seal 90 also being provided therein adjacent the bearing. Any form of steering arrangement may be used to drive shaft 81, this being accomplished directly by means of a steering arm secured thereto, Or remotely therefrom, as by a system of chains or ropes and pulleys acting thereon.

The expansible yoke, by means of which the foot assembly 58 is mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of casin 44, comprises a plurality of arcuate members 56, 9| and 92 which are formed concentrically with the casing and adapted for sliding movement therein about the inner cylindrical wall thereof, being held in such position by a pair of circular retaining rings 93 secured to the sides of the casing as by cup screws 94. Members 56, 9| and 92 do not make direct contact with the casing, a race 95 formed of a suitable bearing material such, for example, as copper is interposed therebetween and thus serves to take up any wear due to the tilting movement. Race 95 also serves as a cover to seal the open portion 96 of the casing which is necessary in order to permit the cylindrical portion of member 56 to move relative to the casing. Race 95 has side wall portions 91 which extend to the arcuate sides of retaining rings 83 and a sleeve portion 98 which fits closely about the cylindrical portion of member 56. A slot 99 is formed in one end of the race to clear shaft 81 when the yoke is tilted upward to its extreme position and a slot Hill is formed the. other end to clear the hub portion 21 on supporting plate 24.

Member 56 is generally ii -shaped havinglegs Ill and I 02 between which the tongue portion IE3 or member 9| is adapted to move and upon which the end portions I04 and I05 of member 91' are adapted to slide, the inner sides of end portions I04 and I05 sliding along retaining rings 93. The other legs Hitand III! of member 56 similarly receive the tongue portion I08 of mom:- ber 92 therebetween; member 32 also has end portions I09 and me which slide along: legs I06 and: II", respectively of member 56- and on the inner sides thereof slide along retaining rings 93. Surfaces III and. H2 of member 56' also are supported by the retaining rings.

Thus, members 56 SI and 32 i-nterfit to form unit which in turn interfits withrace 95 and is expansible therein, the entire unit including the race being slidably movable between the rings 93 and the inner cylindrical wall of casing 44.. Thus, as member 56- istilted clockwise, as viewed in Figures 6 through 8,. member 56 and race $5 move together with respect to members 91- and 92 until surface H3 on member 56 engages surface II onmember 92 and lug I I5 on member 56, which lug travels in slot I=I-6 onv member 92,. reaches the end of the slot whereupon members 55-, 9t and 92 and race 95 move together asa. unit until lugs ill on retaining rings 93 reachthe end. of slots H8 formed inmember 55 and slots IId in member 92 move onto lugs- IZQ on the rings. As member 56 is moved counterclockwise, it again moves with respect to members 9| and 82 until lug I2 I in member 56, which lug travels in a slot I22 onmember 91, reaches the end of the slot and surface I23 on member 56 engages surface I24 on member 92 whereupon all the members of. the yoke together withthe race-travel. as aunit backto their positions as seenin Figure 6, these positions being reached asslots I25 inmember 8'1 engage lugs II? onthe retaining rings and the ends of slots I25 on. member 56 engage lugs I on the rings.

By reason of the foregoing arrangement of the expansible yoke, a wide angle of tilt approximately 90 degrees is obtained while at the same time providing. a large bearing. surface for sliding. movement, thereby avoiding any tendency of. the parts to bind. Moreover, the expansible yoke insures at all times a cover for the open portion 96 of casing 44, thereby to provide ah enclosed housing at all times. Seals I- between the race 95 and the housing and between the race and the several. parts of the yoke may be employed, when desired, to further insure a watertight casing and also to retain lubricant therein, this being supplied by way of the single fitting as at I2'I..

In the event that an inclined transom is encountered in some cases, the load support I28. which is in the form of a half portion of a tubular member adapted to receive the collar 6|, is ro vided with a lug lzsl'iaving a transverse opening I30 through which a bolt I31 may pass, the bolt also passing through a selected one of a plurality of. pairs of openings I36 in spaced members" I32 and I33 depended from supporting plate 24 whereb the foot assembly 58" may initially be placed at any desired angle notwithstanding the angle of inclination ofthe' transom from: vertical.

In order to lock the drive assembly 25 against tilting movement when the foot assembly is retated 180 degrees in either direction tomo've the boat 20 in reverse, lug I-34- is provided on the planing board I35: Thus, the lug assumes a position ahead of support member I23 when the drive assembly is turned through degrees and causes the lug to move into stopped engagement with member I28 as the tongue load is developed by the propeller.

From the foregoing detailed description of the several parts and their manner of operation, the operation of the outboard drive assembly 25 should now be apparent.

Referring now to Figures 16 and 1 7 wherein a stationary outboard propeller drive assembly gen erally designated I40 is disclosed, it will be seen that this drive assembly is generally similar as regards the use of seals and other features specific to the driving connections, to the tilting assembly 25, but is preferably of heavier construction and adaptable for use on heavier boats. Supporting plate MI in this case is provided with an arm I42 in which the steering shaft its is additionally journaled, and the steering shaft makes a non-pivotal connection with the foot assembly I- l' I through a member M5 which rota-tivel-y sup-* ports the vertical drive shaft I45; To this end", member I45 has a substantially C-shaped portion I A l concentrically disposed within a generally spherically-shaped housing M8 formed in two halves adapted to be bolted together as at I49 and to the supporting plate I4! as at I5t. Thus, the cylindrical portion I51 of member I45 is adapted to be journaled as at I52 and the 0- portion It? journaled as at I53 in the housing I48. Portion- I5I is secured to the foot assembly Ida within bore I54 therein as by screws I55, a thrust bearing I56 being interposed between the casing and the foot assembly and thrust washer I57 being interposed between the casing and 6- portion I41.

The steering shaft I43 may be key-ed as at I58 to C-portion M1. Thus, turning movements applied to shaft IE3, as by handle I59, are applied to the foot assembly I44 along a line coinciding with the turning axis of the drive assembly.

Power is applied to the propeller from the inboard motor by way of horizontal shaft I60 bevel gears IGI and I62, shaft M6, and thence through bevel gears I63 and I64 to the propeller shaft I65, the axis of turning movement of the foot assembly thus coinciding with the axis of the vertical power transmitting shaft I46.

A pin IE6 is provided to protect the foot from damage by reason of any obstruction encountered in the water, this pin being a solid plate, when desired, to stabilize the boat on fast turns. The pin is anchored to the boat as at I61, a reinforcing plate I68 being provided on the inner side of the boat to strengthen the bottom and transom, plate I4! being secured to plate I68 by one or more bolts I69. From the foregoing it should now be apparent that an outboard propeller drive assembly has been provided which is Well adapted to fulfill the aforestated objects of the invention. Moreover, while the invention has been described in par: ticularity with respect to two examples thereof which give satisfactory results, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates or more nearly appertains, that the same is susceptible of additional embodimerits and changes without departing from the spirit and scope or" the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In an outboard propeller drive for an iri board motor boat, the-combination of a propeller shaft, a foot assembly for rotatively supporting the propeller shaft, means for mounting the foot assembly on the stern of the boat for steering movement about an axis substantially perpendicular to the propeller shaft, and for tilting movement about a transverse axis, perpendicular to the steering axis, and intersected therewith, means including a hollow driving shaft disposed coaxially with said steering axis for providing driving connections between the propeller shaft and the motor in the boat, and means including a first steering shaft extended through said hollow shaft and a second steering shaft universally connected to said first steering shaft at the intersection of said steering and tilting axes for providing control over the steering movement of said foot assembly from a steering control point within the boat.

2. In an outboard propeller drive for an inboard motor boat, the combination of a propeller shaft, a foot assembly for rotatively supporting the propeller shaft, means for mounting the foot assembly on the stern of the boat for steering movement about an axis substantially perpendicular to the propeller shaft, and for tilting movement about a transverse axis, perpendicular to the steering axis, and intersected therewith, means including a hollow drive shaft disposed coaxially with said steering axis and a second drive shaft so disposed as to have its axis pass through the intersection of said steering and tilting axes for providing driving connections between the propeller shaft and the motor in the boat, and means including a first steering shaft extended through said hollow shaft and a second steering shaft universally connected to said first steering shaft at the intersection of said steering and tilting axes for providing control over the steering movement of said foot assembly from a steering control point within the boat.

3. In an outboard propeller drive for an inboard motor boat, the combination of a propeller shaft, a foot assembly for rotatively supporting the propeller shaft, means for mounting the foot assembly on the stern of the boat for steering movement about an axis substantially perpendicular to the propeller shaft, and for tilting movement about a transverse axis, perpendicular to the steering axis, and intersected therewith, means including a hollow drive shaft disposed coaxially with said steering axis and a second drive shaft so disposed as to have its axis pass through the intersection of said steering and tilting axes for providing driving connections between the propeller shaft and the motor in the boat, means including said mounting means for providing a substantially watertight housing for said driving connections, and means including a first steering shaft extended through said hollow shaft and a second steering shaft universally connected to said first steering shaft at the intersection of said steering and tilting axes for providing control over the steering movement of said foot assembly from a steering control point within the boat.

4. In an outboard propeller drive for an inboard motor boat, the combination of a pro peller shaft, a foot assembly for rotatively supporting the propeller shaft, means for mounting the foot assembly on the stern of the boat for steering movement about an axis substantially perpendicular to the propeller shaft, and for tilting movement about a transverse axis, perpendicular to the steering axis, and intersected therewith, means including a hollow drive shaft disposed coaxially with said steering axis and a second drive shaft so disposed as to have its axis pass through the intersection of said steering and tilting axes for providing driving connections between the propeller shaft and the motor in the boat, means including said mounting means for providing a substantially watertight housing for said driving connections, said driving connections comprising three intermeshing bevel gears secured to said hollow shaft and said second drive shaft and mounted on said housing for rotation about said steering axis respectively, and means including a first steering shaft extended through said hollow shaft and a second steering shaft universally connected to said first steering shaft at the intersection of said steering and tilting axes for providing control over the steering movement of said foot assembly from a steering control point within the'boat.

5. In an outboard propeller drive for an inboard motor boat, the combination of a propeller shaft, a foot assembly for rotatively supporting the propeller shaft, means for mounting the foot assembly on the stern of the boat for steering movement about an axis substantially perpen dicular to the propeller shaft, and for tilting movement about a transverse axis, perpendicular to the steering axis, and intersected therewith, means including a hollow drive shaft disposed coaxially with said steering axis and a second drive shaft so disposed as to have its axis pass through the intersection of said steering and tilting axes for providing driving connections between the propeller shaft and the motor in the boat, means including said mounting means for providing a substantially watertight housing for said driving connections, said mounting means including a tubular member secured to the foot assembly and having said hollow drive shaft telescopically mounted therein, an expansible yoke assembly forming a movable portion of said housing means and having a portion of said tubular member telescopically mounted therewith, and means including a first steering shaft extended through said hollow shaft and a second steering shaft universally connected to said first steering shaft at the intersection of said steering and tilting axes for providing control over the steering movement of said foot assembly from a steering control point within the boat.

6. In an outboard propeller drive for an inboard motor boat, the combination of a propeller shaft, a foot assembly for rotatively supporting the propeller shaft, means for mounting the foot assembly on the stern of the boat for steering movement about an axis substantially perpendicular to the propeller shaft, and for tilting movement about a transverse axis, perpendicular to the steering axis, and intersected therewith, means including a hollow drive shaft disposed coaxially with said steering axis and a second drive shaft so disposed as to have its axis pass through the intersection of said steering and tilting axes for providing driving connections between the propeller shaft and the motor in the boat, means including said mounting means for providing a substantially watertight housing for said driving connections, said mounting means including a tubular member secured to the foot assembly and having said hollow drive shaft telescopically mounted therein, an expansible yoke assembly forming a movable portion of said housing means and having a portion of said 9 tubular member telescopically mounted therewith, a collar disposed in telescoping relation to said yoke and tubular members, means including a thrust resisting member adjustable longitudinally of the boat for engaging said collar to limit tilting movement of the foot assembly toward the boat, means engageable by said thrust resisting member for preventing tilting movement of the foot assembly when the same is turned substantially 180 degrees about its steering axis.

BEAUMONT B. WRIGHT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 15, file of this patent:

Number Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Jennings Oct. 16, 1906 Marble Nov. 16, 1909 Hall 1 Nov. 8, 1910 Harley May 19, 1925 Johnson Nov. 13, 1934 Gondek May 3, 1938 De Micelis Dec. 21, 1943 Law Feb. 4, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Mar. 19, 1931 Great Britain Jan. 7, 1932 Sweden Sept. 24, 1901 

